Welcome win: La Grande hunts down White Buffaloes again

CRAFTY QUARTERBACK: The Tigers’ Carson Miller scored on a 27-yard scamper Friday. Observer photo/CHRIS BAXTER

Now fast forward to Oct. 9, 2009, and the La Grande Tigers found themselves in the same situation.

Hosting Madras with an 0-5 record and coming off a heart-wrenching loss to Nyssa, LHS was able to walk away with its first win of the season 20-13 over the White Buffaloes Friday night.

This win didn’t come easy, however. After throwing an interception on their first possession, the Tigers struck first on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hancock. Madras blocked the extra point attempt. The White Buffaloes tied the game in the second quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass.

But La Grande stole the momentum back with another touchdown pass, this time to Caleb Trisler with just 1:28 remaining in the first half.

In the third quarter Madras put together an 11-play, 86-yard drive that ended on a 28-yard touchdown pass to take the lead 13-12.

Then with just over six minutes left in the game and facing fourth down, Miller scrambled 26 yards to give the Tigers the lead back.

Miller then found Seth Madsen on the two-point conversion to give LHS a 20-13 lead.

Madras wouldn’t lay down, though. The White Buffaloes put another drive together, and faced fourth down and goal with just 1:49 remaining.

Miller went into the game as a safety and was able to intercept an Austin Say pass to seal the win for the Tigers.

“We made plays tonight,”

La Grande head coach Matt Wolcott said. “I think the kids had a lot more determination to close this game out and not have another let down. Everyone was going the extra mile tonight, doing the little things that it takes to win close games. I’m just really proud.”

Miller and receiver Brandon Powell led the Tigers offense most of the game, hooking up multiple times in the Tigers most productive offensive game of the season.

Powell finished the game with a team-high six catches for 77 yards. “We just had it going,” Powell said with a big smile on his face.

“Brandon was just running go routes and getting by his man, so we took advantage of it,” Miller added.

Miller finished the game nine for 16 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Nicholson established the running game that racked up 167 yards for the game.

Nicholson finished with 78 yards on 21 carries. Andrew Humphreys had two rushes for 31 yards.

Hancock, Trisler and Madsen each had one catch for the game.

“Everyone was making plays for us,” Wolcott said. “We have been improving every week, and I don’t think the kids ever thought about laying down and quitting. They’ve always had confidence. This is just going to give them more.”

Say finished the game 22 for 47 for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Madras. Mike McHaney had seven catches for 90 yards and a score.

La Grande has a bye week next week before hosting Ontario to start league play. “We’re going to rest up and get healthy next week. But everyone is 0-0 in league right now, so we’re excited and ready to start over fresh so to speak,” Wolcott said.